Groupon Guide

For many January is all about detoxing and cutting back on all the sugary sweets and heavy meals from the holiday season, but I for one am never one to say no to dessert. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m always thinking about that sweet bite to finish off a meal and am constantly on the hunt for the best cupcake, cookie, etc. in the city. In my hunt for the perfect treat I’ve come across some great and some not so great sweets. Here is my list of the best of the best in Chicago.Sugar Hills Bakery I first tried Sugar Hills Bakery cake pops at a private event and had to pull myself away from the dessert bar. They have classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate and vanilla
In addition to their cake pops they have a great selection of cakes, cookies, pastries and macaroons. They have a location in Chicago on Addison as well as in Wheeling and Algonquin.Chicago Cupcake Tour To get a real taste for the Chicago cupcake scene, spend an afternoon on a sugar high with the Great Food Tour tour guides. A few highlights on the tour include Sprinkles (check out the cupcake ATM), West Town Bakery (try a cake ball if you need a break from the cupcakes) and More cupcakes, which features a savory BLT cupcake.Forever Yogurt It’s both a blessing and a curse that a Forever Yogurt is conveniently located on my walk home from work. It’s so hard not to stop by for their cake batter flavored fro-yo topped with rainbow sprinkles, waffle cone pieces, M&Ms and cherries at least once a week. It’s frozen yogurt so that means it’s lighter and makes it acceptable though in my opinion.
Great American Cookie Company A giant cookie cake from Great American Cookie Company never fails to remind me of my childhood when we would get these for special occasions. With Valentine’s Day coming up, treat your sweetie to a sweet treat with a personalized cookie cake. In addition to the traditional chocolate chip cookie cakes, there have sugar cookies, fudge brownies, cheesecake brownies and peanut butter cookies. They also do fun custom designs for the Super Bowl and other special occasions. No matter what your taste buds are craving, Chicago is not going to let you down when it comes to sweet treats.Paragraph

It used to be that lunchtime options in the Loop and River North would ruin your
diet and your bank balance. Great news, now there are a slew of new healthy options
in Chicago. Try some of these options to keep your new year’s resolutions on track.
A bonus – they have delicious options that you can try to recreate at home, too!Protein Bar was one of Chicago’s first uber healthy fast food places. Have no fear this
is not egg whites, protein powder and meatheads. Protein Bar offers quick, healthy,
delicious options in a fun and funky environment. The “super food” focused choices
include quinoa bowls and wraps, fruit smoothies and breakfast options. My faves
are the Buffalo Bowl and the Super Food Salad. They share nutrition information on
the menu to guide your choices. They now have 11 locations in the city and 2 in the
‘burbs.Lyfe Kitchen is a small national chain that focuses on “quality food using locally and
sustainably sourced ingredients whenever possible.” Oprah’s chef, Art Smith is at
the helm. Every item on the menu is lower than 600 calories. The Chicago River
North location is bright and clean and the service is quick and friendly. The menu is
huge and most items can be customized for food allergies or preferences. Try the
awesome Fish Tacos and amazing juices. There is also an Evanston location. (413
Clark St.)Chicago Raw has two locations with one in the French Market. Raw’s menu is made
up of entirely uncooked, 100% plant-based products. That said they have an
awesome variety of foods. If you served the muffins or nacho chips to guests, they
may never know that the items are raw and amazing for them. Try the Chipotle Lime
Tortilla Chips (but watch out – they are addictive!), delicious salads, breads and
muffins – yes, muffins. Good and amazingly good for you! (51 W Huron St. & 131 N
Clinton St.)Hannah’s Bretzel offers healthy, organic, delicious and nutritious options. They are
the first sandwich shop to focus on organic ingredients, sustainability and “whole
grain nutrition.” Oh, and they definitely focus on flavor and freshness, too. They
make breakfast and lunch and have great catering options for your office. Try my
faves the Ella’s Salad or the Thanksgiving 365 sandwich. They also have delicious
soups, sides and an amazing selection of chocolate by the registers! They have five
locations in Chicago. (180. W Washington St, 131 S Dearborn, 400 N LaSalle St., 233
N Michigan Ave., 555 W Monroe)Freshii’s motto is “Eat. Energize.” Freshii offers healthy, nutritious (and tasty) meals
and snacks for people on the go. The menu includes custom-made wraps, salads,
quinoa bowls, fresh pressed juices, breakfast, frozen yogurt and more. My faves are
the Buddha Bowl and the Ninja Salad, but you really can’t go wrong. Freshii has 17
locations in the Chicagoland area and hundreds of other places all over the world.ParagraphFarmer’s Fridge is a fresh, health food line in - wait for it – vending machines. They
make delicious salads, wraps, snacks and breakfasts that are fresh and handmade.
They are on a mission to make “real tasting food” that can be “really good for you
and really easy to get.” You can add protein to your salads and other extras. The
ordering system is super clever. I’ll admit, I found it pretty entertaining. They also
come in great reusable jars that you can recycle with them or keep for yourself to
reuse. You can shake up your salad and eat right from the jar. So easy! My faves are
the High Protein Salad and the Antixoidant Salad. Even the “Cheater” has a good
nutritional profile. There are currently 9 locations including 600 W Chicago
(Groupon’s HQ), The Shops at Nordstrom and several 7-11 stores. They also offer
home delivery!Paragraph

According to Dictionary.com a power lunch is defined as: a high-powered business meeting conducted
over lunch. While we might not all be C-Suite executives, we do all need to eat lunch. Why not network
while you dine? Do you know where the best spots in Chicago are to shake hands over a Cobb salad?Chicago Cut This has been dubbed as the holy grail of Chicago steakhouses and is often visited by celebrities and
athletes. With a wall of 21-foot-tall windows there is no better view of the Chicago Loop and River.
Diners can scroll through the extensive wine list via an iPad and the lunch menu offers much more
than steak with a large selection of salads, tacos, and sandwiches. An appetizer that is definitely
worth splurging on is the Lobstercargot. This is a spot where it’s best to dine with someone who can
expense the meal.The Gage Inspired by the gastro pubs of Europe with vintage décor, The Gage offers up upscale comfort food.
Located in the South Loop, which can often be a tourist trap with Millennium Park and The Bean
across the street, this spot caters to the Chicago business lunch crowd. Two items that are hard to
resist--the fish and chips and the venison burger.Terzo Piano Situated in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, Terzo Piano is a gorgeous dining option
with a breathtaking patio. Featuring dishes created by one of Chicago’s top chefs, Tony Mantuano, you
truly can’t go wrong with any option. All of the ingredients are locally sourced and organic, which in
turn creates seasonal menus. Save room the dessert and artisan cheese selections. After lunch, you
can always opt to play hooky and take in the art exhibits.Southbranch This eatery, located on the Chicago River is a lunchtime staple in the loop. In the summer, catch up on
your Vitamin D count by soaking up some rays on their outdoor patio. The menu offers tried and true
salads, wraps and sandwiches. Finish your meal with the cookie skillet, which will be sure to put you in
a sugar coma. With an extensive craft beer list this is a great spot to sip and shake hands on your
lunch break.The Florentine Nestled in the J.W. Marriott hotel is The Florentine. Among many chain restaurant options this spot
stands out as one of the best restaurants. The tables are spaced apart well, so you don’t feel like
someone is ease dropping on your conversation. The antipasti’s and wood-fired pizzas will certainly fit
the bill.Have your people call my people, we’ll do lunch.

Restaurant Deals in Nearby Places

A Groupon Buck is site credit worth $1 that's deposited directly into your Groupon account. If you have Groupon Bucks available, they'll be applied automatically at checkout for any deal except Getaways Market Picks. Please note that you can only earn one Groupon Buck per business from Specials.